This may seem like a distraction from my theme of Silicon Valley and Hollywood, but please stick with me for a moment as we consider the fate of Blake Krikorian who is best known for the Slingbox and now seems to be selling his current company, the awkwardly named Id8 Group R2 Studios, Inc.. I think Krikorian’s career arc and our fascination with it give some insight into the whole tech-vs-Hollywood theme, showing how aimless and confused are some of these big technology companies.

The post I read that got me thinking in this direction came from Kara Swisher at allthingsd.com, which is part of the Wall Street Journal. Krikorian is reportedly selling his home automation startup to Amazon or Apple or Google or maybe Microsoft — in other words the usual suspects. Amazon may be now out of contention because Krikorian just resigned from the Amazon board. But in any case, Kara says, they all want Krikorian because “he is considered one of tech’s most savvy execs with regard to video and media distribution.”

Yeah, right.

I don’t know Blake Krikorian and I wish him nothing but the best, but he’s clearly one of the luckiest SOB’s on earth having got Charlie Ergen of Echostar to pay $380 million (way too much) for Sling Media, which had a sliver of technology wrapped in slick marketing.

Sling, which allows you to kinda-sorta watch your home cable box and favorite sports teams over the Internet from anywhere you can find a connection, hasn’t done much to change the way most of us watch TV.

And what Krikorian has for sale now is a home automation company, not a media distribution company. So why is Kara even trying to link this potential deal to entertainment? Because entertainment is sexy and home automation is not. And there’s so little real information about what’s happening in the entertainment space that folks like Kara (and sometimes me) tend to grasp at straws.

I would guess Krikorian is going to Google. Home automation is a good place to lose money and Google has plenty of that. It is also a lot of fun and Google is one of the few companies these days willing to spend real money on fun. Of these potential acquirers Google — and only Google — makes sense mainly because of Big Data. They don’t have to actually make money on the tech, while all the others do.

Soon Google will know when you get up, where you go in your home and when. They’ll know how many times per day you flush your toilet.

Get ready for the Google ToiletSense algorithm.

I don’t see Apple doing this when they can’t even get a TV done. Home automation can be very messy and Apple doesn’t like messy. But this could also be Tim Cook’s next chance to show he is not Steve Jobs, which means if he does the deal he’ll grossly overpay. Steve never overpaid for anything. But in this case the PR value might be worth it.

Whoever gets Krikorian’s company will pay too much. And whoever doesn’t get him will probably be forced to overpay for some other company just to appear to be still in the game. Whatever that game actually is.

Microsoft could be a buyer out of pure desperation. Maybe BillG needs new automation for his home.

Then there is Intel. Talk about being desperate: in the land of the blind, Krikorian could become King.

In other words this story about entertainment technology mainly shows that most of the big tech companies are clueless but trying not to appear that way. They sense that this is the place to be but have no idea at all what to do.

54 Comments

cthulhu
January 1, 2013 at 1:48 pm

Regarding Apple and Krikorian and entertainment: I keep wondering if Steve Jobs’ widow (or whomever is controlling the Disney shares that SJ owned) might be pushing for Disney to sign an exclusive licensing deal with Apple for digital distribution, as a starting point to break the cable monopoly for Apple TV. Imagine a $5 per month Disney Channel for the Apple TV…guess this didn’t have anything to do with Krikorian after all.

Apple currently sells single show subscriptions for entire seasons (10-24 episodes) for $20 on up. I doubt they’d do Disney so cheap. But I could see a Disney kids subscription for $20/mo, along with Disney teen, ABC, ABC family or even break p the channels into action, comedy, etc.

Bill H
January 1, 2013 at 2:38 pm

Ha, Ha, Home automation, – seems like it should be a DIY project for anyone who’s interested enough to want it, and already has a wireless network in their house. I’m not interested enough to have looked into it since the X10 devices first came on the market – was that 20 years ago? But it seems that a handful of wirelessly operated plug in switches would take care of almost everything you want to automate. My thermostat is already automatic enough with 4 time periods per day, 7 days per week. I don’t need a more complicated control for the lawn sprinklers, or the pool pump. There’s really little around the house that needs to be automatic – OK, I’d like a Roomba lawn mower, but even that just needs a timer. The only investment that can make home automation a real business would be a HUGE publicity campaign to fool people into thinking they will benefit from it, and get them to suscribe to some monthly plan that will be cheap enough that most don’t bother to cancel it once they have realized the amount of benefit that they are getting.

Ronc
January 1, 2013 at 3:15 pm

I’ve been using X-10 devices since 1980 but only where needed. You’re right, it’s much better to have separate controllers for temperature, pool, sprinklers, for reliability and simplicity. But for everything else that’s non-critical X-10 is quite convenient, like scheduling lights and allowed door-bell times.

JJones
January 1, 2013 at 11:31 pm

Forget home automation.. just the ability to reassign switches to lights is way overdue!

When I first visited Japan back in ’89 on a student exchange and they had one switch at the front door to turn off all the lights in the house. They also had heated toilet seats and showers with personalized settings via a computer control panel.

Or, because we are not mobbed up with the Yakusa.
Those are interesting things you mentioned. Any you would pay 100 bucks for ? Me…. not so much, unless I had to because the cost was built into the construction costs of the home and various people were paid off to put in extras.
On the other hand, Japan had pay-by-cellphone and cellphone TV/video a generation before we did…. so….yeah, maybe.

Ronc
January 2, 2013 at 4:51 pm

“just the ability to reassign switches to lights is way overdue” That’s what X-10 does and has been doing since the 70s. The problem is it makes the switches more expensive, complex, and subject to failure; so that when an electrician bids a job he needs to ask the customer or contractor what level of switch-control or automation is desired. (What you are suggesting is known as wall-mounted programmable controllers and receiver-switches which are located in line with the power to the device.)

Matt
January 2, 2013 at 11:41 am

I’m not sure if this falls under home automation or not, but here’s what I’d like to see: all foods I purchase have RFID tags which convey information such as purchase date, expiration date, where purchased, unit price, amount left, etc. My refrigerator, freezer, pantry and cupboards would be able to read this information, and automatically maintain a database. My personal food database could be accessed from my smart phone.

The database could automatically generate my shopping list. Perhaps it could tie into deal/coupon sites for me as well. When I’m out shopping, I could be inspired to make a new dish, but I’m not sure how much (for example) powdered sugar I have at home—so I check my smartphone, which queries the database, and tells me if I need to buy.

Or, if I have that random food item in the fridge, and I can’t remember how long it’s been in there: database to the rescue! (E.g., the sliced turkey breast is bad, but the milk’s still good.)

And for the ultimate convenience/luxury, the database could talk to my grocer, who could make regular deliveries based on what I need.

This could also be applied to all household goods as well, e.g. toilet paper, toothpaste, diapers, etc.

David Stewart
January 4, 2013 at 3:58 am

Yeah right. What about that left over chicken gravy I put in a tub, the broccoli florets i thought I’d use up another day? Am I seriously going to assign and catalogue expiry dates for all this stuff so that i can monitor the decay from my office?. It sounds interesting enough but it’s a lot of nonsense when you examine the practicalities.

Wizsquid
January 7, 2013 at 5:47 am

I say this having blown $20k on home automation, which was the worst waste of money ever. The lights never all switched on or off. The thermostats broke. They also didn’t control two-stage HVAC, so oops, only some of the house is on the system. The server never worked. On and on. This was a 2009 disaster. Finally the burglar system quit working. The whole thing is junked.

That said, the refrigerator could have pressure and weight sensing shelves. So when I put the left over chicken gravy, Siri says: what did you add? I say: Chicken Gravy. Siri says: when should it be thrown away? I say: Thursday. Siri says: Thanks.

The refrigerator could easily maintain the database for that. Better yet, if my dishwasher broke (last month), it could dial back to its maker, find the local repair people, check their ratings, and tell my phone so it could find open slots in my calendar when they could come fix it. For that matter, it could also check to see if replacement units are on sale, or offer new and comparable sized units.

There is a lot more to home automation that’s sexy.

Ronc
January 7, 2013 at 3:46 pm

Sounds like you haven’t learned anything from the 2009 disaster. 🙂

Cris E
January 14, 2013 at 8:13 am

Or even the properly marked box that was opened and put back, half used.

Trent
January 6, 2013 at 12:23 am

Home automation really is messy!
Depends what you want from your home automation.
Do you want to controI a few lights with a single controller or…
Do you want a balls to the wall hardwired system that allows total control over lighting, climate, home theater integrated with multi platform video games (kids love it),HVAC, security, video cameras, intercom system through phone, multi zone Hifi audio, automated shading and home network over Cat5e and Wifi all seamlessly integrated at the touch of a hand or wall mounted touchscreen or single remote?

High end with all the bells and whistles Home automation (seamlessly integrated with true-end user control) IS NOT a simple straightforward DYI project. One can not seemlessly integrate multiple remotes/contollers with a single controller(s) with DYI technology! Takes real money, real dedicated equipment and experienced programmers/integrators/GUI interface designers. THE KEY is how the system is designed and programmed (integrator).

x10 or similar =several hundred dollars and will get you basic lighting and wall outlet control. No programmable timers or complex scenes. Unreliable failure prone units (easy to replace at least)

Balls to the wall (Crestron, Savant, Control 4, HAI and others) $30K to 100K+
depending what you want to do. Work horse reliable.

The appearance of iPads/pods/phones has had a HUGE impact on the big players in home automation primarily due to replacement of expensive proprietary touch-screens and remote with iPads. In 2009 a Crestron portable touch screen was about $5000. This has largely been replaced by a $400-$500 iPad (no data plan needed).

Apple TV and software such as airplay that permit transmission of audio and video between multiple local devices WILL continue to have impact in the area of home theater. Home theater systems are a large part of home automation companies business.

People will love what they can do with IF the experience is similar to iPad/pod/phone and doesn’t cost much more than current desk top.
Going to need to bring down high-end automation costs 10 fold to get mass acceptance. Folks are not going to spend $$$ for equipment they don’t already have (no motorized shades or ceiling speakers in every home).

However, “good enough” functions that can be tied in through the TV and do not require hard wiring will happen. I imagine a TV/Home-theater/ iPad/pod/phone centric system that can tie in “smart” stereos/ wireless speakers, wireless IP cameras, smart thermostats, etc.. Perhaps we will see programmable light-bulbs or adapters.

Ronc
January 6, 2013 at 4:30 pm

In general, I agree. It can be expensive, but a great deal of the cost is that of the installer who must feel qualified to work on the high-voltage, built-ins. But do-it-yourselfers can install an X-10 system with an X-10 type programmable timer. It won’t look good with “wall wart” switches and dimmers but they can learn to turn off the power and install built-in wall switches. Of course, when some parts don’t work, troubleshooting can be a challenge.

Trent
January 13, 2013 at 5:53 pm

The take home point is high end home automation is messy and expensive as Bob stated. In most cases can not be accomplished with a single contractor/vendor. I’m sure he tried to avoid a long drawn out explanation with his single summary sentence.

My post is undoubtedly long; however, having learned the lesson of expensive home automation the hard way during home rebuild I want to make clear that state of the art whole house automation is not your father’s X10 system and is not ready for large scale implementation due to both cost and the complexity of integrating various components.

End user control of high-end system uses low voltage wiring system (cat 5e) to relay commands from switch/touchpad/touch panel controlling lights/appliances/AV equipment/security/thermostats etc… Wifi is now utilized to augment/enhance certain control functions but the backbone of a high end system is still hardwired low voltage wiring.

Commands are received/processed by central processors before being sent to a dedicated switching panel [120v] typically located in the garage. This panel receives power from main/sub electrical panels circuits that are connected to power line and transmit household voltage to end load (lights/appliances/AV equipment etc…). A circuit in the regular panel may control a number of lights/appliances and is collectively referred to as the load for that circuit. This load from the main box can be further subdivided into “switches” in the switching panel. Each switch controls an all lights/appliances connected to that load. Switches are now electrical instead of mechanical and in a panel box in garage instead of on wall in the house. Regular electrician and certified/licensed low voltage specialist highly recommended.

Previous commenter absolutely correct that one can spend a lot of money and have nothing useful to show for a poorly integrated and/or programmed system. I would have written my system off at $30k as it was financed under a refi whole house rebuild. Unfortunately, I had a lot more invested.

I experienced integration difficulties.
My sticking point was an acceptable GUI interface.
I did not find either of the two main 3rd party graphic vendors (GUIFX.COM or NTDesigns) completely acceptable. MY integrator/programmer/vendor/GUI designer did not have access to Crestron’s most current GUI interface and programming tools nor the experience to design from scratch.

Problem is most general contractors (even good ones) DO NOT have experience with whole house automation of the type Bill or Steve used or I wanted. They may have used a low voltage specialist who did a great job prewiring and installing a home theater system for a previous client. He becomes your home automation design expert and knows in general terms what an integrated whole house system can do and approximate costs but does not install or program these systems himself. He brings in his friend/fellow country man who sells this equipment, along with other high tech AV/Security systems, and can program it too.

Skilled home automation programmers/integrators are not cheap.
SKILLED PEOPLE WITH AREA SPECIFIC EXPERTISE DO MATTER!
It does not matter how good the equipment is if it is not integrated and programmed well or if it is not designed to meet you needs.

Typical scenario is seeing a blurb on TV about how cool home automation and reading something like Home Automation for Dummies that really makes it seem easy and cool.
If you really want home automation consider what is really important to you. Do you really want a killer home theater system and don’t care about whole house zoned speakers or lighting then focus on this. If you want to check on the house with IP cameras while you are away or want a whole house intercom system then focus on this. It is tying in all these different systems so the operate seamlessly with multiple controllers (iPads, pods, phones, touch screens, touch pads) sharing the same interface that gets really messy and expensive.

Recommended:
(1) Home Automation designer (i.e. architect) who does not sell the system to help you truly appreciate capabilities, drawbacks and expense of various systems. NEED TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE GETTING for the $$ paid.
(2) Home automation prewire contractor. Yes, this is grunt work but when you are running 1-2 miles of CAT 5e wire in a 2500-5000 sq ft house (forget the mansion) they need to get it right. Do not use this guy for system design.
(3) Reliable product vendor (what ever high end system you use).
(4) Graphic designer for customized GUI interface. If you don’t think this is important try controlling home theater system and remaining house functions from a single remote with a poorly designed/cluttered/ugly GUI interface.
Programmer/Integrator to tie in commands for every single controlled load to its corresponding button or graphic display.

Don’t let guy 1,2,3 do this.
Probably not guy 4 either.
If your programmer/integrator has completed many projects of similar scope he may have a graphics library you find acceptable. Any design graphic that is custom created for you jacks up $ cost.

Good luck to anyone seriously considering an integrated home automation solution

Trent
January 13, 2013 at 5:58 pm

Left out
(5) Integrator/Programmer

in last post.

Richard
January 1, 2013 at 2:53 pm

“I’m not interested enough to have looked into it since the X10 devices first came on the market – was that 20 years ago?”

Try 35+ years ago! My dad had one installed controlling our house back in the late 70’s. It was always fun when he or mom accidentally hit “All On” at their beside console turning every light in the house on at all hours of the night for a WC run!

Ronc
January 1, 2013 at 3:21 pm

Watch out for the “All Units Off” switch! It does way more than turn off the lights. Thank goodness it’s limited to a single “house code” so you can hide this controller somewhere it’s hard to get to.

Actually it was several programs w/him explaining the details of the systems. That short is so so.

Search for his name on the UWTV website to see them.

Dr John
January 1, 2013 at 3:46 pm

In the UK Sky TV (satellite service) is also doing streaming of content to mobile devices via their “Sky Go” service. Streaming live or on-demand services. Although the Slingbox does take it from your content off your cable box I’d be surprised if it weren’t long until you could do this directly off the Sky box anyway (which I’m sure you could do).

In other words, do we need Slingbox?

As for home automation the one big area that could save people a lot of money every year is on heating. Automation systems for individual room control from a central heated thermal store. Again, in the UK typically there is one thermostat in the house and all rooms are off the one timer too. This needs to be broken down in to room control such that the living room is heated when you’re in during the evening but the bedrooms don’t get heat until you’re read to use them. And the toilet is 24/7 as you don’t want a cold pan!

I know that some people have this already, just needs to be more widespread.

Dave Wesely
January 1, 2013 at 8:26 pm

We already have home automation. They are called dishwashers, etc.. According to the guy who sold us our heat pump, home builders are not interested in more expensive dual zone systems. They just don’t sell until after the homeowners realize they have a problem. Except for raising and lowering my blinds, I cannot see where more home automation would make my life easier or cheaper. Why someone would want their refrigerator connected to the web is beyond me.

Dr John
January 2, 2013 at 4:27 am

Dave, I’m very much with you on that! Part of home automation and connecting your fridge to the internet is the “M2M” dream. I attended a seminar held at FreeScale Semi in East Kilbride (Scotland) over a year ago. It was one of the biggest wastes of a day I’ve ever experienced. Industry representatives were clueless, and it was the academic who made a more practical demonstration! Not the norm.

Once governments decide to tax on the energy efficiency of a person’s home then controlled zoning of heating will become highly desireable. Already in the UK we have “home reports” for houses being sold and these include a Mickey Mouse banding of energy consumption from A (best) to G (worst). If this was linked to the tax system then you’d find new homes being multi-zoned to get a more efficient band. It will happen, but I’ve yet to see a really well integrated system.

Ronc
January 2, 2013 at 5:06 pm

Also, exterior insulation, wall thichness, attic space, and window construction, are all more important than zones but those basic-construction factors make housing more expensive i.e. less “affordable”. It’s hard to get government to vote for “less affordable housing”.

Dr John
January 3, 2013 at 4:15 am

In the UK they’ve made it so that you’ve got to have so much loft (attic) insulation, double glazing etc. Each house has to meet a certain “U” value, which is a measure of it’s insulation I believe. Which means we have insulation in the walls, the windows, and roof. This adds to the cost of building a home without a doubt.

I’m only suggesting that the next step for UK / Europe would be to make it so that zoned heating areas would be fairly easy within the existing framework. Once it becomes a legal requirement then such an automation system will become common, and hopefully much less expensive.

Why do we need Sling? Because *you* control the rights to streaming content already on your DVR, not the content provider. I can watch anything offered by my Dish subscription, live or recorded, from my phone, tablet, or PC, from anywhere. With services like Sky Go I’m limited by what deal the content provider has worked out with Sky, and I almost certainly can’t watch from overseas…

Dr John
January 2, 2013 at 4:31 am

Bill, you’re quite right. The advantage of a Sling box is that it’s your content that’s being streamed. Since Bob talked about streaming over the internet many moons ago what’s the chances of Sling being able to defend any patent claim? Low is my guess. Therefore, what’s to stop content providers adding the ability to allow you to stream off your own box?

Unless there’s something they’ve got that’s absolutely unique I can’t see a value in the company. Everything they’re doing I’ve seen done in the A/V world already, many years before.

motionblurred
January 1, 2013 at 4:11 pm

Sooner or later Google is going to have to find a way to make money beyond they way they always have. Android is nothing but a money pit for them. Too many of these projects and they’ll become just like MS. Google doesn’t have much of an identity as it is now.

Porgie
January 1, 2013 at 5:10 pm

Re: device management & automation:

What happened to Echelon, founded by Mike Markkula & Oshman in the late 80’s? They developed tech, chips & software for remote control in all sorts of markets. They still exist, as on the way to Race Street Fish Market (RIP) I’d see their headquarters and wonder why they’re never mentioned in the tech press. And what happened to X-10, which seemed to be on the crux of mass acceptance via Radio Shack (& Sears, if I remember correctly)?

Happy Heyoka
January 3, 2013 at 4:40 pm

Although extremely nifty, from memory it was also extremely expensive (~$20k in the 80’s) per developer; companies that could afford it probably were to conservative to get it, the little guys couldn’t justify it. Minimum per production unit was in the order of $20 for volume – that’s an expensive light switch.
AFAIK they’re still around in some form – I think some of their protocols are in HomePlug or Zigbee…?

Qwerty
January 1, 2013 at 7:30 pm

When the screens we have will adapt to whatever we want to put on them, we still will be woefully short of di-lithium crystals.

jonesey
January 1, 2013 at 10:43 pm

I can’t believe I’m the first one to come here to remind you all that Google’s TiSP customers are already providing valuable Big Flush Data (what Bob calls “ToiletSense”) to the Google hive mind. We have been the number one (and number two) providers of this sort of information since April 2007.

The picture in the instructions is not quite right. I ran my cable under the seat so as not to interfere with the seat’s comfort. I just haven’t been able to figure out why my toilet-based internet only works when my old wi-fi system is on.

Howard
January 2, 2013 at 1:53 am

Surely home-automation is more than just X10 on/off switches? Where’s my internet-enabled-fridge?

Simon Hibbs
January 2, 2013 at 7:22 am

Just goes to show how hard it is to predict technology trends. Internet connected fridges have been talked about for years and become a standing joke. Likewise wristwatch computers, and many other ‘obvious’ gadgets never get anywhere. Yet who saw the popularity of internet connected shoes (Nike+) coming?

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Microsoft Corp bought start-up id8 Group R2 Studios Inc as it looks to expand further in technology focused on the home and entertainment, a person familiar with the situation said on Wednesday.

id8 Group R2 Studios was started in 2011 by Silicon Valley entrepreneur and investor Blake Krikorian. It recently launched a Google Android application to allow users to control home heating and lighting systems from smartphones.

[ chomp ]

Krikorian will join Microsoft with a small team, according to the Wall Street Journal, which reported the acquisition earlier on Wednesday. Microsoft also purchased some patents owned by the start-up related to controlling electronic devices, the newspaper added.

Pekka
January 3, 2013 at 6:30 am

So, are we to assume MS is desperate?

I’d say it depends on whether we (and the chums on wall street) expect MS will want to remain central to everything digital, or if MS will be content with being king of pc (while apple, google and the likes fight over the post-pc scene)

Euro2cent
January 7, 2013 at 1:14 pm

> [ chomp ]

Hadn’t seen that in ages. Also: “—- 8< —- cut here" or something.

JD
January 2, 2013 at 5:28 pm

I am a landlord and a rehabber. There is one application that would be very useful to me and other rehabbers that it appears that Krikorian is making — Remote control of heating and cooling in houses. When I am selling a house, I don’t want to heat it or cool beyond the bare minimum. If, for instance, someone wanted to look at a house on a very hot day, I would like to turn the air conditioning on remotely maybe 5 hours ahead of the visit, and turn it off after the visit of the potential buyers. Sounds like that is part of what Krikorian is doing. If so, there is at least a small niche of something useful. If others have knowledge of how to do this with run of the mill programs or devices, I would like to hear it. Right now I have no way to do it.

Oh Robert, I am afraid you peaked a couple decades ago when I was a kid and you wrote that Gates/Jobs made-for-tv flick. You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. No clue on what the Slingbox did to catalyze the media industry to deliver content over the top on multiple screens. You have no idea what Sling did to change the paradigm of geographic exclusivity. You obviously never saw the Sling Projector technology that was the predecessor to AirPlay and other 2nd screen applications (dude this was 7 years ago)….and you certainly are brain dead when it comes knowing what we have been building now at R2.

At first I thought it would fun to debate you, but then I realized I would just get bored.
You keep following and critiquing…I have stuff to actually go build, and hopefully make a few customers happy along the way.

I do appreciate the well wishes though…helps me be so lucky! 🙂

Best,

Blake “Luckiest Son of a Bitch on Earth” Krikorian

Ronc
January 6, 2013 at 5:02 pm

Most of us would agree with Bob’s main point about the Sling Box “…hasn’t done much to change the way most of us watch TV.” What we need, for example, is the high-def digital equivalent of the VCR. But the cable companies have fought tooth-and-nail against the Cable Card and completely stopped the the true-2-way version of it. And Hollywood has fought equally hard to keep us from time and placeshifing our high-def content.

No, that point is wrong as well. You can trace a causal link between the slingbox and the current state of TV everywhere and similar services. It’s probably completely not obvious to anyone sitting on the sidelines writing blog posts and comments, but it’s actually easily verified… But doing that takes, you know, effort.

Jeremy
– former slinger

Ronc
January 7, 2013 at 4:00 pm

Bob said “most of us”. If it’s effect on TV everywhere is easily verified, how about an example? Most of us still pay for cable or use OTA and live with the content restrictions and quality problems. Most of us don’t care about “live” because it doesn’t fit our own schedules and the experience is degraded, compared to recorded, due to the commercials.

Trent
January 16, 2013 at 1:15 am

THE REAL STORY BEHIND BLAKE K. -ITS NOT WHAT YOU THINK.
I will focus on R2 Studios, a purported home automation company-NOT
Slingbox, sold to Echo Star in 2007, is yesterday’s news.

Mr. K- how much did Microsoft pay you for R2Studios?
I take liberty to describe a rather colorful narrative between you and Mr. C with hyperbolic flare and give unsolicited advice.

I am more interested in your response to the Crestron angle and what you brought to Microsoft in the deal. Wish I could have developed a GUI for
my Crestron system controller then sold it like you did.

I have followed the postings, commenting several times about high end home automation and its JIGUNDOUS difference from X10 systems. No offense intended; however, based on previous responses neither posters nor Bob understand what Mr. K’s R2 Design company does about nor understand high end home automation.

I entirely ignored Mr. Kirkorian, the focus of Bob’s piece, until his angry “Paradigm of geographic exclusivity” reply following Matador Cringley’s full frontal assault (sharp spears and all) on Mr. K’s tech chops and integrity. Mr. K’s jargon speak got my full attention- reminded me of a few unpleasant smooth tongue folk I have encountered in the past.

Mr. K might benefit from my CBF’s (cool best friend’s) advice to “edit”, keep the mouth shut and stay away from the “send” button for a day or two after someone pissed you off. Mr. K, I know- sometimes you got to send it if you have nothing to hide- this was just not one of those times. Saying something provocative like, “Bob Cringley’s best days are so 20 years ago” is only going to invite attention upon your self. We all know Bob peaked with “Accidental Empires”. Mr. K- you don’t need to bring this up again- old news and sounds desperate! Mr. C had an unspoken agenda and exposed Mr. K to those in the know.

Enough editorializing:

This is a story of a man, his Bay Area home with high-end Crestron home automation system, developing his own android GUI interface controller DYI as a labor of love for a project then letting media rags hype it as something it is not (a Premier Home Automation Company).

Mr. K (subsequently know as R2 Studio) designed a nice GUI interface to control his home Crestron System on his Android device, likely licensing a hybrid of available GUI interfaces from third party vendors such GUIFX.COM Dean icons and NTDesigns layouts. THERE IS NOTHING UNIQUE in R2 controller interface. At $99 R2 for Android is same price as Crestrons Mobile Pro for iPhone but has better graphics. Maybe 1000 clients per year (=/- magnitude1/2-3). Typical cost for good 3rd party Mobile Pro graphics (pads/phones/pods) about $300-600 for unlimited license. It is a one trick (pretty nice) pony providing control GUI for Android phones/?pad.

Don’t know if Mr. K an active collaborator/confabulator or just went along for the media ride. Will know when we find out how much $$$$ MS paid and why they really bought it . Was it really for XBox or did he give senior management his GUI for their home Crestron systems? Doesn’t add up if MS paid more than $1 million.

Mr K. takes a swipe at Apple (but his wife loves her iPad). My guess is Apple did not fall for his pitch like Microsoft. The beauty is R2studio.com web site clearly stated the limitations of it GUI in print knowing that most would not comprehend the content.

“***IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING R2******
R2 communicates to Series 2 or Series 3 Crestron control processors [ not their entry level prodigy-my words]. A touchpanel project needs to be created by an authorized Crestron programmer in order for R2 to function. End customers (e.g., homeowners) should contact their Crestron integrator if they have any specific questions regarding their system.”

It is important to understand this is only a GUI controller APP on your mobile device. It does not control your Crestron System until the system is programmed by a Crestron Programmer (CAIP). Crestron authorized programmers/integrator/ designers must under go Crestron training and pass certification requirements. Integrating/programming a Crestron system starts at $15K. For the average homeowner- Yeahhh right.

Crestron Primer:

Crestron is the premier residential and commercial automation company in the US if not the world. Established in 1968, employs about 2500 people and is owned 100% by it founder. It has no debt with annual revenues of about $500 million. Estimated valuation in excess of $ 1 billion. It designs its own hardware and software as well as manufacturing 80% of it hardware in the US. It offers highly reliable tightly integrated scalable automation solutions for business, educational, government and residential sectors. Were not talking about useless Wifi refrigerators; rather, single interface integrating lighting, HVAC, security (alarm/cameras), home audio/video/theater, energy usage, shading, landscape moisture/ wind sensors, intercom, pool/spa, network and whatever else you come up with. If its electrical Crestron can control it for a price.
Limited entry level automation systems (Prodigy) starts at $15- $20K. Systems using series 2 and series 3 processors (scalable) start at about $50,000 for a 3000 sq ft home excluding programming.

Crestron is a company founded and run by engineers- not artsy graphic designers- for the most part this is good; however, clients who pay attention to GUI esthetics almost alway disappointed. Programming options are fine.

Crestron graphic designers were drawing stickmen in art class while the art school guys were emulating Van Gogh or Picasso. Most integrators aren’t graphic designers and visa versa. 3rd party GUI designers (GUIFX.com, NTDesigns.com, Custom Code Crafters, BlackmanCustoms. com, etc…) provide more attractive standard and customized GUI interfaces for various touch screens/panels/pods sizes. Mr. K saw and exploited an opportunity to associate himself with the premier name in home automation and place a pretty bandaid, using existing GUI vendors, over Crestron’s esthetic weak spot.